On May 4, 2020, in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Labor, issued rules extending deadlines for participants and beneficiaries of certain group health, disability, and welfare plans to make certain benefit elections, give certain notices, and make enrollment decisions. The rules are intended to prevent plan participants and beneficiaries – who may be facing unemployment, reduced employment, or other conditions affecting coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic – from losing coverage or being forced to find alternative coverage at a critical time.
Read the full GT Alert, “COBRA Election and Enrollment Deadlines Extended During COVID-19 ‘Outbreak Period.'”